Downtown Seattle's new Shop, Dine & Ride program launches

Note: This release was updated on August 30, 2005.

While the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel is closed for light rail construction, commuters will enjoy a new incentive to use public transit and an opportunity to save dollars while enjoying all that Downtown Seattle has to offer.

The Shop, Dine & Ride program is the public's ticket to great deals at Downtown Seattle shops, theaters and restaurants. Commuters can use Shop, Dine & Ride coupons to save money on exciting offers at nearly 100 participating businesses. Coupons are redeemable by displaying any valid transit pass, ticket, transfer or regional reduced fare permit. Ferry passes and tickets also qualify. Coupons are available at Downtown Seattle locations or can be printed from the Internet at www.shopdineride.org.

"Shop, Dine & Ride offers yet another reason for people to continue enjoying Downtown Seattle, where everything is in one great place. It is also another reason to take advantage of our many and fast-growing transit options," said Downtown Seattle Association President Kate Joncas.

"A lot is going on in Downtown Seattle as we build the 16-mile light rail system from Downtown to the airport," said Sound Transit CEO Joni Earl. "Sound Transit, the Downtown Seattle Association, the City of Seattle, King County Metro Transit and Community Transit are all working hard to keep Downtown Seattle moving while we build light rail and as the region's population continues growing.

"We appreciate the public's patience while we improve transportation options for the rest of the 21^st Century and beyond," Earl said. "By working together, we can ensure that Downtown Seattle and communities throughout our region continue to be great places to live, work and play."

The DSTT will be closed for up to two years beginning Sept. 24 while it is retrofitted for use by both buses and light rail trains. The impacts of the construction process will be greatly reduced since more than 95 percent of the retrofit will take place underground. On surface streets, the light rail project's main impacts are related to moving buses out of the tunnel during the retrofit and building a short extension of the tunnel beneath 2-1/2 blocks of Pine Street.

The first Shop, Dine & Ride Guide is available starting Aug. 30. New editions will be published twice yearly through 2007. The guides can be found at transit information racks, transit pass sales outlets and at participating businesses. The project's website — www.shopdineride.org — features more information, program updates and the latest coupons. Downtown businesses interested in joining the program can find information on the website.

A $16 million package of mitigation projects is underway to keep Downtown Seattle moving. In addition to Shop, Dine & Ride, the efforts include an array of street and transit improvements such as dedicating Third Avenue as a transit-priority corridor during peak commute hours. Other steps include improving Downtown traffic signal systems and bus shelters, and street work at the north and south ends of Downtown to help move buses and cars through the Downtown core.

Detailed information on the tunnel retrofit and Downtown construction is available at www.seattletunnel.org. The tunnel will reopen to buses by September 2007 and the light rail trains will begin running in mid 2009.

Two upcoming open houses will provide a chance for commuters, residents and businesses to learn about the work that is happening to keep Downtown Seattle moving.

Tuesday, Sept. 13
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Union Station, Great Hall
401 S. Jackson St., Seattle

Wednesday, Sept. 14
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Grand Hyatt Hotel
721 Pine St., Seattle

Representatives of Sound Transit, the City of Seattle, King County Metro Transit and Community Transit will be on hand to provide information on new street-level bus routes through Downtown that will begin Sept. 24, commute options, traffic and parking changes Downtown and light rail construction plans. Accommodations for people with disabilities may be arranged with sufficient notice by calling (206) 689-4927 or (888) 713-6030 TTY.

Also present at the open houses will be representatives of the Urban Mobility Group, recently launched by the Downtown Seattle Association in partnership with King County Metro Transit and the City of Seattle to provide information on making the most of Downtown commute options. The Urban Mobility Group — www.urbanmobilitygroup.com — provides the first one-stop resource for Downtown employers, building managers and commuters.